Typically, Americans name the president and first lady tops in the annual poll, with notables from religion and the military a distant second.

But Michelle Obama has been edged out each year since 2008 by former First Lady, U.S. senator and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. (Obama is not far behind, but in some years has faced competition from Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Palin and Condoleezza Rice.)

In recent years, Clinton has dominated the category in part due to her unusually varied public career, coming out tops in the category in 18 out of the last 21 years.

Still, first ladies dominate the list the way Meryl Streep owns Academy Awards nominations. Other than Obama, only Lady Bird Johnson and Bess Truman never topped Gallup’s poll at least once.

Mamie Eisenhower, who was shut out during her time in the White House by the continued popularity of former first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, eventually won in 1969 and 1970, while Nancy Reagan lost to Mother Teresa or Margaret Thatcher most years.

There’s still hope for Obama, however. Clinton’s popularity could drop over the next three years as she moves closer to a presidential campaign — and there’s always a chance for a post-presidential nod.